Coonoor (Tamil Nadu), Aug 14 : A five-year-old elephant calf was captured by forest officials in Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

The elephant had strayed towards a human habitation after separating from its herd.

The officials tranquillized the elephant that had been creating problems for inhabitants of the tea estate in the town, and later released it in the Burliar forest area.

"Fifteen days back one elephant herd of seven elephants visited Coonoor range of north division. One elephant about five-year-old separated from the herd, but our department tried to reunite the calf with the herd, but it did not succeed. The chief forest officer ordered us to tranquillize it," said Kalaivanan, forest veterinarian, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.

Experts have repeatedly opined that massive deforestation, poaching and people encroaching upon forest corridors have forced the elephants to move out of their natural habitats in search of food and water.

India has over 50 per cent of Asiatic elephants, considered to be among the most intelligent animals, but their population has dwindled in recent years. (ANI)